Description In an increasingly connected world, the pandemic has highlighted just how essential telecom networks are to keeping society running. The Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the boundaries to deliver more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise Join Optical Networks division, where innovation meets scale in the AI-driven data center era. With the recent acquisition of Infinera, we’ve united two industry leaders to create an optical networking powerhouse—combining cutting-edge technology with proven leadership to redefine the future of connectivity. Infinera is now part of the Nokia Corporation and its subsidiaries. When you apply, the information you share will be handled with care and used only for recruitment purposes within the group. Responsibilities We are seeking an experienced engineer (12) years for the position of Manager of Hardware Development in Munich to co-lead and scale our Strategic, Architecture, and Engineering team by supporting its advanced research activities in optical communications. The successful candidate will play a critical role in co-leading the team, driving innovation, acquiring public funding, disseminating results within Nokia thus shaping roadmaps, and ensuring successful execution of the investigations. The work is connected to funding programs, and it will be also carried out in strict contact with important customers and prestigious university and research centers to realize next-generation optical networks. In a nutshell, we offer an environment where talented individuals can apply their creativity to conduct cutting-edge research that drives innovation at Nokia. Qualifications Provide technical and strategic leadership across all research activities. Drive execution of funded programs and finalize all deliverables and milestones on time. Act as technical project lead or coordinator, collaborating closely with internal customer accounting teams, and external partners. Seek new research funding opportunities aligned with company roadmaps and products. Ensure excellence, quality, scalability, and compliance in all deliverables. Attract, retain, and mentor a high-performing engineering team. Cultivate a strong collaborative culture with software, hardware, and systems teams to deliver fully integrated solutions. Represent the company as principal investigator or coordinator within funded projects Qualifications & Experience PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 12 years of experience in R&D. Proven experience in carrying out R&D tasks in optical networks and telecommunications. Deep understanding of physical layer design in optical networks and components. Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Excellent communication and leadership skills. What We Offer The opportunity to lead cutting-edge research and innovation in a rapidly evolving industry. A dynamic and inclusive work environment with global exposure. Competitive compensation and benefits package. The chance to work with cutting-edge technologies in optical communications